Ann Acebron, left, and Karen Lee, pose before the start of their practice games in preparation for their first competitive chess tourney entered in. Although they both lost their first 2 games, the experience of playing against the best players in Palau and of the world in the future seems to be a motivation for them. WELCOME TO THE PALAU WOMEN'S TEAM TO 2012 WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD (Istanbul, Turkey)
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
BAPTISM OF FIRE FOR
ANN ACEBRON AND KAREN LEE
THEY DIDN'T make it last Saturday because they don't have a ride to Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1. This time, Ann Acebron and Karen Lee made it and got their baptism of fire by losing all of their games (2 each) in the resumption of 2011 Palau National Chess Championship.
In her first tournament game in Palau, Acebron succumbed to Jeff Balbalosa in 26 moves of Giocco Piano and bowed to Rudel Roxas in 34 moves of Caro-Kahn Defence while Karen lost to Jeff in another shorter by 10 moves (16) of Queen's Paqn Opening.
Erstwhile Palau top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel crushed the King's Pawn Opening variation of Karen and mated the neophyte chess player on the 29th move.
Jennalyn Ortiz didn't make it and might play as many games as she can on Sunday either at PRR or at Beken's Store.
A lot of players showed up at Beken's Store last Sunday but it's close the whole afternoon so the 3 games that were played on that Sunday afternoon all involved Mohammad Manik Hossain who lost all of his 3 games to Manuel in 37 moves of Alekhine's Defence; to Tito Cabunagan in 36 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening and to Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. in 42 moves of another Giocco Paino.
Dennis Gonzales showed up also at Beken's Store but didn't proceed at PRR. He will play as many games as he can on Sunday and a possible Monday night clash with Suringa, Jr. at PRR.
Roxas is having a 3-day annual leave and a possible game between him, Dennis, top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Pax might ensue also on Monday.
Balbalosa should have been leading in the early rounds of 2011 PNCC but he missed a winning continuation on the 18th move in his game against Pax.
Instead of capturing a pinned knight with a pawn, he moved his queen to h4 that allows Pax to equalize and seized the initiative 30 moves later when Jeff blundered away his rook.
After another 36 moves, he resigned with only his king left on the board and Pax has a pawn and a bishop. With that win, Pax is now leading the event with a perfect 3-0 win-loss slate.
The first game of the day was between Roxas and Manuel with the latter prevailing in 29 moves of another King's Pawn Opening.
AND THE LONGEST GAME OF THE EVENT SO FAR -- is between Manik and Rudel that lasted more than 2 hours with Rudel prevailing in a marathon 94-move victory of their Caro-Kahn Defence game.
Manik has a strong attack when Rudel captured the b2 pawn with his queen on the 11th move threatening to capture Manik's rook for a knight and a pawn and a superb attack is the logical choice for Manik with the addition that Rudel's queen is out of play but he missed the chance to score his first elusive victory.
Edwin Acuyan, the new F & B Manager of PRR, will play on his day off Sunday. In a sporadic conversation with Roberto Hernandez, Acuyan showed his interest in the different style of chess pieces of a chessboard.
He has a collection of rare chessboard designs from Russia, Australia, Europe, South America and USA. He's planning to buy a $60.00 chessboard carved elegantly at Palau Shop to add to his collection.
Top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. played his first game of the event against Rudel Roxas and outwitted Rudel in 34 moves of Caro-Kahn Defence early in the afternoon.
Dennis Gonzales arrived and waiter for the next available player to come which is Jeff Balbalosa. Dennis made short work of Jeff and drubbed Jeff in just 18 moves of Pirc Defence.
Jeff blundered away a whole rook in his game against Mohammad Manik Hossain and is set to suffer his 3rd straight loss. Gonzalo Escapatoria is playing his first game against Menandro Manuel with the game even in material and position.
Tito Cabunagan is looking for a 3rd straight win against Dennie being ahead by a piece. Dennis will get the $65.00 cash prize of Jerry Sermeno, and will send it to him, who is now in Philippines.
No players are playing at Beken's Store at 4:00 pm with Cyril decided to proceed to PRR upon seeing nobody there for a chess match. The 4 lady contestants didn't show up either at the 2 venues.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper Volume 20 Issue 28 July 11, 2011
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